Basic Principles of Design

Basic Principles of Design by Manfred Maier documents the Foundation Program at the School of Design in Basel, Switzerland. This digital edition is available as a PDF and can be downloaded instantly after purchase.

Originally published in German as Elementare Entwurfs- und Gestaltungsprozesse, this English edition appeared in 1977 through Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. The material in this file is associated with Volume 1, which covers object drawing, object and museum drawing, and nature drawing.

Book Overview

Basic Principles of Design presents a systematic introduction to the visual and creative education offered by the Basel Foundation Program. The one-year course required 42 classroom hours each week and admitted students through an entrance examination.

Courses included drawing, color, three-dimensional studies, materials and tools, and exercises in form, aesthetics, and concepts. This digital edition preserves the structure and examples of the program’s first volume.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• An outline of the Foundation Program at the School of Design in Basel, Switzerland.
• Admission requirements: students had to be at least 15 years old, pass an entrance examination, and attend all classes.
• Coursework in object drawing, object and museum drawing, and nature drawing.
• Details on the 42-hour weekly schedule and the faculty of the Foundation Program.
• Contributions from instructors such as H. P. Sommer, P. Pola, and other program faculty.
• An explanation of the teaching-learning process, including linear, punctual, and complex approaches.

Why This Book Matters

This volume offers a documented model for a foundational art and design education. It was developed over thirty years and deliberately disregarded fashionable vogues while allowing space for necessary innovations.

For teachers, students, and administrators interested in a critical and investigatory approach, this collection remains an important archival reference.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download, so there is no physical shipping. The PDF becomes available for download after purchase.

It can be read using PDF-compatible applications on desktop computers, tablets, and mobile devices, including Kindle apps and similar reading apps.

FAQ

How do I receive the book?
After purchase, the PDF is available for instant download from your account.

Will I receive a physical copy?
No. This listing is for a digital file only; no printed book will be shipped.

What devices can I use?
The PDF works with most PDF reader applications on Kindle, tablets, desktop computers, and phones.

Add this comprehensive design resource to your collection today.